we couldn't wait to get to amsterdam so we headed there in the evening. first stop? a house i couldn't wait to visit and imagined always visiting since i was a little girl - the home of anne frank. it was incredibly touching and very moving. the secret bookcase, her room with pictures she decorated on the walls of her bedroom, the attic- everything was how you imagined it to be. this 9-year-old was amazing and it was an honor to see one of her real diaries.
the anne frank huis
this bell tower was the one she wrote about. when we heard it ring, it made us think, "wow, this is the same bell anne frank heard for 2 years." it was really cool.
this picture pretty much sums up how gorgeous amsterdam is- scenic canals everywhere, people enjoying their afternoon on boats, beautiful buildings with picturesque windows...just incredible.
instead of garages, people have boat docks!
our hotel
amsterdam sunset
the next day, we had a lot planned to do-
fun, fun, fun!
ricky couldn't wait to buy vla!
yes, i'm sure you've heard him talk about it (pronounced fla) and everything thing he has told you about it is TRUE! it is absolutely divine! we couldn't get enough of it and made frequent stops to the market to taste it's goodness.
we wish it was sold in the u.s.! maybe we'll import it and make billions?
van gogh museum
hayden enjoyed his colorful paintings. we could have spent all day staring at his work. we spent a good few hours there. just incredible. seriously.
our favorite painting, "a starry night" is on loan in nyc, so this knock-off sufficed!
the only way to get around amsterdam is by bike and everyone has one.
instead of car garages, they've got bike garages!
check it out! so many bikes!
so, we decided to check out the city by bike too! it was fantastic!
biker boys!
hayden loved riding along on the bike! he was all smiles!
dam square
the queen's palace
the famous flower markt
lot's of bulbs!
any kind of tulip you want...
only in amsterdam can you rent a bike with tulips on it
hot food vending machines 1 euro!
we enjoyed the day sightseeing, shopping and eating some great dutch and indonesian food. we really enjoyed amsterdam and would love to go back!
